Review: Yusuf – Tell ‘Em I’m Gone (Sony Music Canada)

Since retiring the Cat Stevens name following the release of 1978’s Back To Earth, the artist now known as Yusuf Islam has pursued a somewhat irregular release schedule of new music. Tell ‘Em I’m Gone, an album that draws from his wildly successful acoustic background while also exploring avenues including blues and R&B, is his first album of new material in more than five years It hasn’t dulled his passion or enthusiasm for his art form, however.. Incidentally, the standout moments on the record are those that sound as though they could have sat alongside material from his original heyday. His cover of Edgar Winter’s “Dying To Live” is especially notable, as is gorgeous album opener “I Was Raised In Babylon.”